Directories at Central Library
Saint Paul city directories are available on microfiche (1856-1859), microfilm (1863-1935), and print (1938-present) at the Central Library
Minneapolis directories from 1907 to the present are available, as are some suburban directories from 1956 to 1991.
Photocopying of print directories is not allowed.
Historical Research
From 1856-1925, directories generally provided:
- City and County officials
- Schools, churches, hotels, fraternal organizations and societies
- Advertisements, including an index to advertisers
- An alphabetical list of residents and businesses with street name (no house numbers), and occupation of residents or type of business
1866 - residents and businesses were listed by wards (for that year only)
1869 - a listing of Chicago area businesses was included. A schedule of stamps and duties for liquors, tobacco, coffee, etc., was also printed
1879 - a street name index was included, with "to" and "from" information
1885 - addresses became more specific, and included house numbers
1895 - a "Progress of the City" report was provided
1929 - a dotted circle symbol was introduced to indicate homeowner. Wives' names were added after the husband's name. The street index was printed on pink paper. A separate index to South St. Paul streets (also pink) was added, although South St. Paul residents were included in the white pages of the St. Paul general listings
1933 - all adults in the household were listed
1940 - a bell symbol was added to indicate a telephone, although no phone number was given
1948 - the South St. Paul Street Directory was dropped
1950 - alphabetical listings included suburbanites who worked in St. Paul
1956 - the first South Suburban and North Suburban directories were published
1961 - telephone numbers were added to the street index
1964 - a separate telephone number section was added